by Velospeak | Aug 8, 2013 | Product Reviews, Uncategorized
The new Bern Allston helmet is a first, because surprisingly, Bern had never made a cycling specific helmet until now. So, to make a helmet that would suit the needs of commuters, Bern developed the Allston working with some of the best bicycle messengers and cyclocross racers in the world. Out of this collaborative design process, the Allston was born. The helmet is made from Bern’s exclusive ZipMold technology, which results in a remarkably strong helmet. It meets ASTM F 2040, CPSC and EN 1078 standards for bike and skate, but still only weighs 13 oz. The helmet has an incredibly low profile making for a lid that doesn’t scream for attention. There are 16 vents for exceptional airflow and cooling. One neat trick is the interchangeable liner system consisting of a summer liner, a liner with an integrated flip visor, and a liner with ear protection for colder weather. I’ve been using the Allston in matte black for commuting this week, and so far I am quite impressed with Bern’s design work. The helmet is very comfortable and has a perfect fit. The ventilation is indeed excellent, and doesn’t leave me wishing for a lighter color. The clean aesthetic is perfect for my sensibility, and the adjustment of the straps is simple. I can see this helmet becoming my choice for the daily commute, and at $90.00, the helmet is also easy on the budget. The Bern Allston is an excellent option for those looking for an all around high performing helmet.
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by Velospeak | Aug 8, 2013 | Product Reviews, Uncategorized
Café du Cycliste is on the French Riviera, and originally was conceived as a cycling community cafe. The cafe then quickly turned its attention to producing a line of alternative cycling clothing. Two lines were developed, one for on the bike, and another for the urban cyclist. The Sur le Bitume line covers performance cycling wear, and the Sur le Zinc line is all about urban biking wear. Both lines are quite robust in their offerings, and new product is released often. There is also a women’s collection consisting of seven pieces. The Simone Jersey, pictured above, landed on my doorstep, so I’ve had the chance to see a Café du Cycliste piece in person. The quality is top notch, the fit slim and neat, and the design makes for a garment that stands out in the crowd. Small details such as the back pocket with leather closure strap, and the two tone chest pocket set this item apart. This kind of detailing appears throughout both lines. There are stripes and solids, zippers and buttons, all designed to make a stand out product. I enjoy wearing the Simone Jersey, and hope Café du Cycliste gets a solid foothold here in the US. All their offerings are available directly from their website for those wanting to make the leap.
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by Velospeak | Aug 6, 2013 | Uncategorized
Tune has been sending out sneak peak photos of upcoming products. I look forward to seeing what they have in store at Interbike. They are an interesting company pushing the boundaries in cycling.
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by Velospeak | Aug 6, 2013 | Uncategorized
This is completely unrelated to cycling or fashion, but I had to post a photo of one of the best candies I’ve ever had, the Green Tea Kit Kat. They are not easy to find, but yesterday, in Little Tokyo, I came across a rack full of them. I highly recommend trying them if the opportunity arises. These are the best.
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by Velospeak | Aug 6, 2013 | Uncategorized
Mission Bicycle Company sent an e-mail this morning detailing this packable rolling fender. I really like the idea of being able to stuff this in a bag and have it handy in the unlikely event of rain here in SoCal. Of all the fenders I’ve seen, this is by far the most compact. It is available directly from Mission Bicycle Company for $25.00.
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by Velospeak | Aug 6, 2013 | Made in the USA, Uncategorized
Allen Edmonds, one of my favorite shoe companies, has released the Voyager, a Bicycle-toe Balmoral. I have not seen the shoes in person, but judging from the photos, they look beautiful. As always, they are made in the USA, and are backed by the legendary quality Allen Edmonds is known for.
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by Velospeak | Aug 4, 2013 | Uncategorized
This trailer was the beginning of what came to be known as Ergon and Canyon. The trailer sits at the entrance of the Canyon headquarters in Koblenz, Germany. I love the old stickers, and particularly enjoy seeing the Assos name prominently featured. I’m hoping to have some posts up soon of two new Ergon products, as soon as I try them out. In the meantime, try and guess the year this trailer was last used.
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by Velospeak | Aug 2, 2013 | Uncategorized
Yesterday Marin Bikes announced a re-branding effort, starting with a new and fresh line-up of bicycles. The bicycles will be shown to dealers in the near future, but for now, have a look at their top cross offering, the Cortina T3 CX Pro, shown above. This seems like a great option for the upcoming cross season. Part of the re-branding also involves a new website, and a video called “This Is Marin” that is worth watching for the beautifully shot mountain biking sequences. I’m happy to see Marin stepping back into play.
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by Velospeak | Jul 31, 2013 | Product Reviews, Uncategorized
The sleeve accessory market is a crowded one, so to stand out, the product has to be top notch. RichWorks has succeeded in standing out. I have two sleeves designed by Evan Rich: the iPhone sleeve, and the MacBook Pro 15″ sleeve. The sleeves are made with 500D nylon and microsuede. They are beautifully constructed and fit each device like a glove. I tend not to use a case for my phone or laptop, so these sleeves are perfect for protecting the devices while they ride in my pocket or backpack. The design is super simple with an easy to use Paracord closure system. They are made to order in Bristol, CT, so customization is also possible. Evan plans to release more products in the future. Judging from his early successes, RichWorks will continue to be a company to watch.
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by Velospeak | Jul 29, 2013 | Uncategorized
Earlier today I received an e-mail informing me that Konoko Cycles in London is carrying Swrve. This is great news for those in London, but for us here in the US, Swrve is easily obtainable through their very own website. Even better, for those in LA, there’s VeloLove, the retail space at Swrve’s headquarters. Swrve makes some of the best cycling clothing available, and if you can’t make it to one of their retail outlets, I highly recommend a visit to their website.
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